Robert Donald Stangle Jr
May 25, 1954 - March 18, 2024
We are deeply saddened to announce that Robert Donald Stangle (Don), a respected pillar of the Minden community, passed away on March 18th, surrounded by family & friends. Known for his kind heart and dedication to public service, Don’s impact on the community was
profound and will be felt for years to come.
Don was born in Salinas, California on May 25th, 1954, to Robert (Bob) and Shirley Stangle. He was raised in Minden, and deeply loved Carson Valley. He always said that he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
Don was a lifetime member of the Minden Volunteer Fire Department. After one particularly bad car accident, Don said, “We need better equipment & better trained personnel so we can save more lives than we lose. I’m going to work toward that end.” He petitioned County
Commissioners to send him to Paramedic School at Daniel Freeman in Los Angeles.
In September of 1979, Don was sworn-in as Douglas County’s first Paramedic. During his service he worked to start the East Fork Fire & Paramedic District to better save lives.
Being a classic car enthusiast, Don spent countless hours in the garage, restoring his prized classic cars. From the roar of his ‘69 Camaro’s engine to the chopped design of his ‘37 Ford Coupe, he found joy and satisfaction in every detail.
His knowledge of classic cars was encyclopedic. He was a founding member of the Valley Cruisers Car Club, and could tell the make, model, and year of a car at a single glance. In fact, when reminiscing, he would recall the car before the person who was driving it. His love for classic cars was not just a hobby, but a way of life that defined him.
As we say goodbye, we remember Don not just for his dedication to public service and saving lives, but also for his love of classic cars.
He was a past President of the Carson Valley Lions Club and worked as a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy prior to becoming a Paramedic. He worked for the City of Sacramento and the City of Elk Grove, CA for Emergency Preparedness and held several degrees including a
master’s degree in emergency services administration.
Rest in peace, Don. May your journey be filled with the rumble of a V8 engine, the shine of chrome, and the open road ahead.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tim & Kevin, daughter Jeanine & beloved wife Candi.
He is survived by his sister Julie Hoffman (Dick), Aunt Debbie Hester (John), son Matthew Stangle (Katie), stepdaughters; Keriann Ortiz (Mark) and Roz Avant (Thomas) and grandchildren; Jordan, Kadence, James, Dennis, Hannah, and Reagan.
A celebration of life will be held on April 27th beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Minden Park.